John River Packrafting Adventure [Video]

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The wilderness was calling again this summer … calling us back for another arctic packrafting adventure.

This time, seven of us floated the John River in Alaska’s Brooks Range. Over 9 days, we floated this 135 miles Wild & Scenic River from Anaktuvuk Pass, through Gates of the Arctic National Park, all the way down to the river’s confluence with the Koyukuk River.

Highlights from our trip include:

  • Flying by Cessna Caravan to the small Nanamiut village of Anaktuvuk Pass, at the crest of the Brooks Range.

  • Visiting the Simon Paneak Memorial Museum to see exhibits on Nunamiut traditional culture.

  • 35 miles of padding the upper river, with rapids to Class III.

  • Mountain scenery of the Brooks Range.

  • A caribou running alongside us as we float by.

  • Finishing off the trip with a jet boat ride up the Koyukuk to the village of Bettles.

Check out my Gear List for Multi-Day Packrafting Expeditions.

And if you like wilderness packrafting adventures, check out my full video playlist:

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